Shabby Chic; Volume III

shirlgirl2004

Memory girl you sofas are amazing. I bought some chairs to do about a year ago. They are sat in the garage. Please tell me what instructions you followed.

Spendaholic_Chick

Wow, Memory girl - that sofa is amazing! Well done yoU!

danemi1

Spendaholic_Chick wrote: »

Can anyone help? I've read dozens of pages of the thread but cant find an answer...I have an orangey pine varnished cupboard I'd like to paint white, I hate sanding with a passsion (and am quite lazy!) so is there any sort of primer I can use that would take away the need for sanding?

Definitely ESP Easy Surface Primer - even works on a mirrored surface - its fab

danemi1

bohemia wrote: »

Just another long time lurker who loves this thread! It has inspired me to revamp quite a few pieces of old furniture I had in our flat. I bought some Farrow and Ball paint on people's recommendations too. Love it.
Wish I could post photos or a link but since i don't post much I can't. Anyone know what the limit is for posting photos?

Sorry hun..I dont but just keep posting on here and it will soon be possible.

danemi1

MaggieBaking wrote: »

Some Shabby Chic at Christmas decoration tutorials...

About £5, Book Wreath: http://birdhousefamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-page-wreath.html



Around £10, Lit up Bird Houses : http://birdhousefamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/here-are-just-few-details-about-our.html

Drooling here!!!!

danemi1

Love the curtains above - how fabulous!!!! and that sofa - jaw drops open - its fabarooni

Well as for the kitchen layout its pretty much been decided for me - we have bought an ex-display
here are some piccies - its still in the showroom at the mo in Manchester

Here we go...

bohemia

danemi1 wrote: »

Sorry hun..I dont but just keep posting on here and it will soon be possible.

Thanks, I will!

I have a question actually... I've been using sheets of sandpaper to get rid of the finishes on the wood but is this the way that you guys use? Would a handheld sander be better? I'm just thinking because I got this orange pine dining table off ebay recently and to sand the top of it by hand might be a nightmare!

danemi1

I am no expert - have only done a few things - a mahogany corner tall unit - I used ESP and didnt need sandpaper other than once I had painted it - I distressed the edges with some but before that on a tall unit with baskets in I started with sandpaper and got fed up so got a sander from hubbys stash and that was much better but for the small details still used sandpaper but I tell you once I used ESP I didnt look back

bohemia

Thanks, looks like I'll have to try some of that stuff!

The top of my table I want to be natural wood though so to get the orangey pine finish off I think I'll have to sand it right down... could be a labour of love!!

annie-c

bohemia wrote: »

Thanks, I will!

I have a question actually... I've been using sheets of sandpaper to get rid of the finishes on the wood but is this the way that you guys use? Would a handheld sander be better? I'm just thinking because I got this orange pine dining table off ebay recently and to sand the top of it by hand might be a nightmare!

Ideally, an orbital sander is best (they cost approx £20 in aldi), they have a large surface area and you get a smooth finish quickly. A Palm sander can also do the job but with a small surface area on them, it can be hard to get a perfectly smooth finish. Hand sand paper can do the job but it is hard hard work for a large area.

With the orangey pine, be aware that if it is the wood that has turned orange, then sanding will only bring a temporary colour change. All wood darkens over time and some cheaper pine turns orangey and this is not permanently reversible. If it is good quality pine that has simply had a nasty coloured varnish applied then you will get a better, longer lasting result from sanding it off. I don't want to put a dampener on things, but I have put hard work into some of my own projects only to find that some woods are not for changing!


I use Dulux Trade Super Grip Primer - available in the trade section of DIY stores and more expensive/litre, but the coverage is superb and more than justifies the cost. I alwas sand lightly, before priming and between every coat, even when using primer. Sanding does more than give 'grip', it removes tiny bumps and flaws, and airborne dust that sticks to wet surfaces. The professional forums will always recommend this, as tradespeople do not want to have to deal with complaints later on. The way I see it, painting furniture involves a major outlay of time and energy, even if the item was free or cheap. I won't want to do the whole thing again down the line, so it is worth adding 10-20% extra effort now to get a long-lasting finish.